Move Your Bus

Ron Clark, New York Times bestselling author and founder of the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, has written Move Your Bus as a model to move organizations forward.  Mr. Clark's parable of the bus and its' riders has "grown into a massive concept that has led to improved results, morale, and production wherever it is implemented."  The bus is filled with people who are either moving the team forward or dragging the organization down.  He has identified riders as either:

Runners: Go above and beyond for the betterment of the organization.  They carry the load of the bus and are the strongest members of the team. At times, Runners sacrifice their own personal lives for the organization.
Joggers:  Pour energy into tasks where they are most skilled but will coast through others.  Joggers often focus on one "big" project for the year and want recognition for their effort.  Joggers have a stronger balance of work and personal life.
Walkers:  Do not contribute to the forward momentum of the organization.  Walkers have a negative impact on the team and are continually seeking and recruiting members to become one of them as they believe in strength in numbers.  They are focused primarily on themselves and their situation.
Riders:  Considered the dead weight in the organization.  As Mr. Clark states, "they contribute next to nothing to the organization... and what's worse they feel they are 100% entitled to their seat."  Unfortunately, riders do just enough to not be terminated.
Driver: Head of the organization; responsible for steering the bus and its' riders forward.

First and foremost, Mr. Clark brings the different personalities to life using a mixture of humor and at times brutal honesty. The first part of the book focuses on identifying the members on the bus and then provides specific strategies the driver can use to reach their potential. The second part of the book outlines how to accelerate the organization with habits and behaviors many Runners have in common.  Punctuality, dress for success, positive interactions, ability to accept criticism are several of the keys to success he describes. The final part of the book outlines strategies for the driver to become a more effective leader. The driver is provided once again with specifics to move members forward as well as setting expectations, dealing with conflict, and the importance of showing appreciation.

Move Your Bus provides the reader as either the driver or rider on the bus opportunity for self-reflection as well as strategies to grow.

For more information about the Ron Clark Academy, please visit his website:
Ron Clark Academy